Synchronization-dependent transmission for vehicle to anything communication

ABSTRACT

A method and a device configured for selecting a transmission parameter in a wireless communication network are disclosed. According to one aspect, at least one transmission parameter is selected based at least upon an estimated level of synchronization for the first wireless device

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/315,266, filed on Nov. 30, 2016, which is a Submission Under 35U.S.C. § 371 for U.S. National Stage Patent Application of InternationalApplication Number: PCT/SE2016/051069, filed Nov. 1, 2016 entitled“SYNCHRONIZATION-DEPENDENT TRANSMISSION FOR VEHICLE TO ANYTHINGCOMMUNICATION,” which claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo.: 62/251,418, filed Nov. 5, 2015, entitled “SYNCHRONIZATION-DEPENDENT TRANSMISSION FOR V2X,” the entireties of allof which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the resource management of radiocommunication networks and more specifically to a method and wirelessdevice for selecting transmission parameters for a wireless device in adevice-to-device (D2D) communication system.

BACKGROUND

It is estimated that by 2020 there will be some 33 million automotivevehicles sold annually with built-in wireless connectivity, generatingmore than 163 million terabytes of data each year via their dozens ofon-board cameras and sensor technologies. When shared across a wirelessnetwork, this data can be utilized by vehicles to give them an awarenessof road conditions beyond the reach of their sensors, and thus enablethe driver or the vehicle itself to better plan driving maneuvers.Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) communications is a subset of device to device(D2D) wireless technology designed to allow automobiles to “talk” toeach other.

Release 12 of the Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless communicationstandard has been extended to support device to device (D2D)communications features targeting both commercial and public safetyapplications. Some applications enabled by Rel-12 LTE include devicediscovery, where a device is able to sense the proximity of anotherdevice and associated applications by broadcasting and detectingdiscovery messages that carry device and application identities. Anotherapplication includes direct communication based on physical channelsterminated directly between devices.

One potential extension for device to device communication includessupport of V2x communication (Vehicle to “anything”), where “x” includesany combination of direct communication between vehicles, pedestriansand infrastructure. V2x communications may enable forward collisionwarning, traffic queue warning, vulnerable road user alerts, do not passwarnings, curve speed warnings, blind intersection warnings, emergencyvehicle alerts, etc. For example,

V2x communication may take advantage of a network (NW) infrastructure,when available, but basic V2x connectivity should be possible even incase of lack of network coverage. Providing an LTE-based V2x interfacemay be economically advantageous because of LTE economies of scale andit may enable tighter integration between communications with thenetwork infrastructure (V2I, vehicle to infrastructure) and vehicle topedestrian (V2P) and V2V communications, as compared to using adedicated V2x technology.

V2x communications may carry both non-safety and safety information,where each of the applications and services may be associated withspecific requirements, e.g., latency, reliability, capacity, etc.European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) has defined twotypes of messages for road safety: Co-operative Awareness Message (CAM)and Decentralized Environmental Notification Message (DENM).

CAM: The CAM message is intended to enable vehicles, including emergencyvehicles, to notify their presence and other relevant parameters in abroadcast fashion. Such messages target other vehicles, pedestrians, andinfrastructure, and are handled by their applications. The CAM messagealso serves as active assistance to safety driving for normal traffic.The availability of a CAM message is checked every 100 ms, yielding amaximum detection latency requirement of <=100 ms for most messages.However, the latency requirement for pre-crash sensing warning is 50 ms.

DENM: The DENM message is event-triggered, such as by braking, and theavailability of a DENM message is also checked every 100 ms, and therequirement of maximum latency is <=100 ms.

The package size of CAM and DENM messages varies from 100+ to 800+ bytesand the typical size is about 300 bytes. The message is supposed to bedetected by all vehicles in proximity. The SAE (Society of AutomotiveEngineers) has also defined the Basic Safety Message (BSM) for dedicatedshort range communication (DSRC) with various messages sizes defined.According to the importance and urgency of the messages, the BSMs arefurther classified into different priorities.

Existing communication systems rely on tight requirements for frequencyand timing synchronization between transmitter and receiver. Thissynchronization is usually provided by the network through connectivity,using appropriate signaling.

For V2x communication, synchronization may be acquired from the cellularnetwork (i.e., as in cellular communications), from other devices, orfrom Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) (e.g., through anabsolute time reference like Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)).Synchronization may be maintained for a limited time by the wirelessdevice by use of its internal clock. It is understood that the internalclock may result in a drift that is larger than the one typicallyoccurring when the wireless device derives synchronization from anexternal source. Given the nature of V2x communications, it is likelythat wireless devices will lose connectivity to the external source ofsynchronization at some point, even if only for a short time. This lossof connectivity may be total (e.g., absence of cellular or satellitecoverage) or only partial (e.g., receiving only from a few satellites).If the transmitter is not properly synchronized to the receiver, it islikely that the transmission will fail.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments advantageously provide a wireless device and a methodfor use in a wireless device for selecting a transmission parameter of afirst wireless device in a wireless communication network. According tothis aspect, a method includes selecting at least one transmissionparameter based at least upon an estimated level of synchronization forthe first wireless device. The method further includes transmitting apacket to at least a second wireless device using the selected at leastone transmission parameter.

According to this aspect, in some embodiments, the method furtherincludes estimating a level of synchronization for the first wirelessdevice. In some embodiments, the method further includes establishing aconnection to a synchronization source. In some embodiments, estimatingthe level of synchronization for the wireless device is based at leastupon a degree of synchronization accuracy that can be obtained when thesynchronization source connection is established. In some embodiments,estimating the level of synchronization for the wireless device is basedat least upon a characteristic of the synchronization source. In someembodiments, estimating the level of synchronization for the wirelessdevice is based at least upon a type of synchronization source.

In some embodiments, selecting the at least one transmission parameterbased on the estimated level of synchronization comprises selecting theat least one transmission parameter based upon the type of thesynchronization source. In some embodiments, the synchronization sourceor type of synchronization source is one or more of a Global NavigationSatellite System (GNSS), a base station and at least one wireless deviceconfigured to transmit synchronization signals. In some embodiments, theat least one transmission parameter is selected based upon a number ofsynchronization sources. In some embodiments, the synchronization sourceis a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the degree ofsynchronization accuracy is based on a number of tracked satellites inthe GNSS. In some embodiments, the synchronization source is a GlobalNavigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the degree of synchronizationaccuracy is based on an amount of power received from at least onesatellite in the GNSS. In some embodiments, the synchronization sourceis a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the degree ofsynchronization accuracy is based on a status of a detection indicator.In some embodiments, the synchronization source is a base station andthe degree of synchronization accuracy is based on variations in atleast one of a time and a frequency reference.

In some embodiments, the method includes establishing a wirelessconnection to more than one synchronization source, wherein each of themore than one synchronization source is assigned a priority level. Insome embodiments, the selection of the at least one transmissionparameter includes at least one of choosing a transmission format,selecting a reference signal format and selecting a cyclic prefix. Insome embodiments, the selected transmission format is one of a transportblock size, a size of packets to be transmitted, a modulation and codingscheme, an amount of physical resources, a number of resource blocks, anumber of transmission subframes, a number of retransmissions and anantenna mapping. In some embodiments, selecting the at least onetransmission parameter based at least upon the estimated level ofsynchronization includes selecting a bandwidth. In some embodiments,selecting the at least one transmission parameter based at least uponthe estimated level of synchronization includes selecting a number ofretransmissions.

In some embodiments, selecting the at least one transmission parameterbased at least upon the estimated level of synchronization includesselecting a number of resource blocks associated with the transmissionof a packet to at least a second wireless device using the selected atleast one parameter. In some embodiments, selecting the at least onetransmission parameter based at least upon the estimated level ofsynchronization includes selecting a modulation and coding scheme (MCS).In some embodiments, in some embodiments, selecting the at least onetransmission parameter based at least upon the estimated level ofsynchronization includes selecting a format of the packet. In someembodiments, the wireless communication network is a D2D communicationnetwork.

According to yet another aspect, a first wireless device is configuredto select a transmission parameter in a wireless communication network.The first wireless device includes processing circuitry configured toselect at least one transmission parameter based at least upon anestimated level of synchronization for the first wireless device. Thefirst wireless device further includes a communication interfaceconfigured to transmit a packet to at least a second wireless deviceusing the selected at least one transmission parameter.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to estimate alevel of synchronization for the first wireless device. In someembodiments, the processor is further configured to establish aconnection to a synchronization source. In some embodiments, estimatingthe level of synchronization for the first wireless device is based atleast upon a degree of synchronization accuracy that can be obtainedwhen the synchronization source connection is established.

In some embodiments, estimating the level of synchronization for thewireless device is based at least upon a characteristic of thesynchronization source. In some embodiments, estimating the level ofsynchronization for the wireless device is based at least upon a typethe synchronization source. In some embodiments, selecting the at leastone transmission parameter based on the estimated level ofsynchronization comprises selecting the at least one transmissionparameter based upon the type of the synchronization source.

In some embodiments, the synchronization source is one or more of aGlobal Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a base station or an evolvedNodeB (eNB) and at least one wireless device configured to transmitsynchronization signals. In some embodiments, the at least onetransmission parameter is selected based upon a number ofsynchronization sources. In some embodiments, the synchronization sourceis a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the degree ofsynchronization accuracy is based on a number of tracked satellites inthe GNSS. In some embodiments, the synchronization source is a GlobalNavigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the degree of synchronizationaccuracy is based on an amount of power received from at least onesatellite in the GNSS. In some embodiments, the synchronization sourceis a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the degree ofsynchronization accuracy is based on a status of a detection indicator.In some embodiments, the synchronization source is a network entity andthe degree of synchronization accuracy is based on variations in atleast one of a time and a frequency reference.

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to establish awireless connection to more than one synchronization source, whereineach of the more than one synchronization source is assigned a prioritylevel. In some embodiments, the selection of the at least onetransmission parameter includes choosing a transmission format. In someembodiments, the selected transmission format is one of a transportblock size, a size of packets to be transmitted, a modulation and codingscheme, an amount of physical resources, a number of resource blocks, anumber of transmission subframes, a number of retransmissions and anantenna mapping.

In some embodiments, selecting the at least one transmission parameterbased at least upon the estimated level of synchronization includesselecting a bandwidth. In some embodiments, selecting the at least onetransmission parameter based at least upon the estimated level ofsynchronization includes selecting a number of retransmissions. In someembodiments, selecting the at least one transmission parameter based atleast upon the estimated level of synchronization includes selecting anumber of resource blocks associated with the transmission of a packetto at least a second wireless device using the selected at least oneparameter. In some embodiments, selecting the at least one transmissionparameter based at least upon the estimated level of synchronizationincludes selecting a modulation and coding scheme (MCS). In someembodiments, selecting the at least one transmission parameter based atleast upon the estimated level of synchronization includes selecting aformat of the packet. In some embodiments the wireless communicationnetwork is a D2D communication network.

According to another aspect, a first wireless device is configured toadaptively select a transmission parameter in a device-to-device (D2D)communication network. The first wireless device includes asynchronization estimating module configured to estimate a level ofsynchronization for the first wireless device. In some embodiments, thefirst wireless device includes a transmission parameter selection moduleconfigured to select at least one transmission parameter based at leastupon the estimated level of synchronization. In some embodiments, thefirst wireless device includes a communication module configured totransmit a data packet to a second wireless device using the selected atleast one transmission parameter.

According to another aspect, a computer program includes computerprogram code which, when executed in a wireless device, causes thewireless device to execute the methods according select a transmissionparameter in a D2D communication network. The computer code may bestored on a computer readable storage medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present embodiments, and theattendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readilyunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a wireless communication network includingdevice-to-device (D2D) communication including a block diagram of awireless device capable of D2D communication;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an exemplary process for selecting atransmission parameter of a first wireless device in a wirelesscommunication network;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a wireless device configured to select asynchronization-dependent transmission parameter;

FIG. 4 is block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the wirelessdevice capable of D2D communication;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary process of an embodiment forselecting a transmission parameter of a first wireless device in awireless communication network based on the level of synchronizationwherein the selecting is based on a (type of) synchronization source;and

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a computer readable storage medium.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that theembodiments reside primarily in combinations of apparatus components andprocessing steps related to resource management of radio communicationnetworks with participation of vehicles. Accordingly, components havebeen represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in thedrawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent tounderstanding the embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure withdetails that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart having the benefit of the description herein.

As used herein, relational terms, such as “first” and “second,” “top”and “bottom,” and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entityor element from another entity or element without necessarily requiringor implying any physical or logical relationship or order between suchentities or elements.

The present disclosure relates generally to the resource management ofradio communication networks with participation in vehicles. The methodand arrangements disclosed herein may be used for cellular or directcommunication in general. The methods and arrangements of the presentdisclosure include adaptively selecting communication parameters such asthe transmission format or the message fields based on a level ofsynchronization of the wireless device. This results in improved linkand system level performance as compared with known arrangements.

The present disclosure is in the context of D2D (sometimes calledsidelink, peer to peer, or ProSe) and particularly V2V systems. However,some of the embodiments herein are applicable for communication amongany type of network entities, including V2I and V2P and including uplinkfrom some devices to a central control node.

D2D communications are currently under study and standardization as atechnology enabler for V2V communication systems. Acquiring accuratetiming and frequency synchronization is critical in D2D communicationssince the traditional sources of synchronization, e.g., a network (NW)entity such as a base station or an LTE enhanced node B (eNB), aresometimes not involved in the communication (e.g., if the networkentities are out of coverage). This is relevant in V2V communicationsfor two reasons: first, some wireless devices travel at high speedsresulting in Doppler spread of the signals; and second, the bandsdedicated to intelligent transport systems (ITS) are placed at muchhigher frequencies than those of traditional cellular NWs.

Currently, at least two alternatives are being considered as sources ofsynchronization for V2x wireless devices: base stations, such as eNBsand GNSS. In the first case, the wireless device derives synchronizationfrom the eNB through some specific signaling (e.g., synchronizationsignals). In the second case, the wireless device derivessynchronization from the signal transmitted by one or more satellites(e.g., through an absolute timing reference like UTC). Additionalsynchronization methods including using other wireless devices assynchronization sources (references) may also be considered, wherein thesynchronization source may be another wireless device, such as a clusterhead. Thus, another synchronization source might be one or more wirelessdevices simultaneously transmitting synchronization signals such assidelink synchronization signals (SLSS).

It is also possible that a wireless device may use more than one sourceof synchronization. For example, the wireless device may simultaneouslyuse eNB-derived and GNSS-derived synchronization, e.g., one for timingand the other one for frequency synchronization. Alternatively, thewireless device may use the different sources of synchronizationaccording to some list of priorities. In any case, connectivity betweena wireless device and its source of synchronization may be reduced orlost. Nevertheless, wireless devices should still be able to transmitmessages, in particular for safety applications such as CAM and DENM.Synchronization is used among others for aligning the timing oftransmission and/or reception of the wireless device, as well ascontrolling the frequency of the oscillators used for transmissionand/or demodulation.

Referring now to the drawing figures, where like reference designatorsrefer to like elements, there is shown an embodiment of a D2D networkdesignated D2D network 10. In FIG. 1, wireless devices 12 a and 12 b,referred to collectively herein as wireless devices 12, are shownseparately for simplicity. The pedestrian 14 or any of the vehiclesdepicted in FIG. 1 may communicate with each other via a wireless device12. The pedestrian 14, vehicles 16 a and 16 b (collectively referred toas “vehicle 16”) and infrastructure 18 shown in FIG. 1 each may eachinclude or use a wireless device 12. As used herein, wireless device 12is not limited to a user equipment (UE). A wireless device is any typeof device that is configured or configurable for communication throughwireless communication. Examples of such wireless devices are sensors,modems, smart phones, machine type (MTC) devices a.k.a. machine tomachine (M2M) devices, PDAs, iPADs, Tablets, smart phones, laptopembedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles,etc. In D2D network 10, two or more wireless devices 12 directlycommunicate with each other without having the payload traverse thebackhaul network.

In cellular network assisted D2D communications, wireless devices 12 inthe vicinity of each other can establish a direct radio link, i.e., aD2D bearer. While wireless devices 12 communicate over the D2D “direct”bearer, they also maintain a cellular connection with a network entitysuch as a base station 20, for example, an LTE eNB. The base station 20serves wireless devices 12 in a region of coverage of the base station20.

A message transmitted or received by a wireless device 12 that is out ofsynchronization may be prone to decoding errors. For example, timingmisalignments may break the subcarrier orthogonality. Similarly,frequency misalignments may degrade the performance of the channelestimation. In either case, decoding errors may happen.

One way to combat the errors due to timing and frequency misalignmentsis by selecting transmission parameters that make the communication morerobust against these impairments. In one embodiment of the presentdisclosure, methods and arrangements are disclosed for estimating thelevel of synchronization of the wireless device 12, selecting the mostsuitable transmission parameters based on, for example, the packet'scharacteristics and traffic requirements as well as on the estimatedlevel of synchronization, and transmitting the packet using the selectedtransmission parameters. As used herein, the term synchronization refersto timing and/or frequency synchronization with a source. Further, thephrase “level of synchronization” refers to an amount or a degree ofsynchronization accuracy (e.g., time and/or frequency synchronization)that can be obtained when a certain synchronization source is selected.The level of synchronization is thus dependent on the synchronizationsource, and selecting a transmission parameter based upon the estimatedlevel of synchronization could be selecting a transmission parameterbased on the synchronization source, such as the type of synchronizationsource.

In some embodiments, estimating the level of synchronization for thewireless device is based at least upon a degree of synchronizationaccuracy that can be obtained when the synchronization source connectionis established. In some embodiments, the synchronization source is aGlobal Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the degree ofsynchronization accuracy is based on a number of tracked satellites inthe GNSS. In some embodiments, the degree of synchronization accuracy isbased on an amount of power received from at least one satellite in theGNSS. In some embodiments, the degree of synchronization accuracy isbased on a status of a detection indicator. In some embodiments, thesynchronization source is a network entity, such as a base station, andthe degree of synchronization accuracy is based on variations in atleast one of a time and a frequency reference. In some embodiments, thelevel of synchronization depends on the source of the synchronization.In particular, the level of synchronization for the first wirelessdevice is in relation to at least one synchronization source.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, wireless device 12, which could be a wirelessdevice held by pedestrian 14 or contained within vehicle 16 a or 16 b(referred to herein collectively as vehicles 16) or infrastructure 18,includes processing circuitry 22 having a memory 24 in communicationwith a processor 26. The processor 26 may be configured to perform aseries of functions based, for example, in programmatic code stored inmemory 24. These functions may include estimating a level ofsynchronization for the wireless device 12, performed by synchronizationestimator 28 and selecting at least one transmission parameter based atleast upon the estimated level of synchronization performed bytransmission parameter selector 30. A communication interface 32 isconfigured to transmit a data packet to a second wireless device 12using the selected at least one transmission parameter. This stepincludes signaling the transmission parameters to the other wirelessdevices 12. Note that the term, selecting, may include obtaining and/orcalculating. Note also that determining or estimating a level ofsynchronization may include determining a synchronization source andbasing the determination or estimate upon the synchronization source orthe type of synchronization source. As an example, the type ofsynchronization source may thus be a satellite system (GNSS) or a basestation (eNB). Another wireless device, such as a cluster head, couldalso be used as a synchronization source. Another synchronization sourceexample is one or more wireless devices simultaneously transmittingsynchronization signals such as sidelink synchronization signals (SLSS).

The method performed by processor 26 and communication interface 32 offirst wireless device 12 a is illustrated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2,optionally, synchronization to at least one synchronization source 13 isestablished (block S32). Optionally, information about the level ofsynchronization of wireless device 12 a is estimated (block S34). Aselection of the transmission parameters is made based on the level ofsynchronization of the wireless device 12 a (block S36). The data packetis then transmitted to a second wireless device 12 b, (block S38). Thedata packet may include control data or communications information.

An embodiment of the method performed by processor 26 and communicationinterface 32 of a first wireless device 12 a is illustrated in FIG. 5.In FIG. 5, optionally, synchronization to at least one synchronizationsource 13 is established (block S40). Optionally, information about thelevel of synchronization of the first wireless device 12 a is estimated(block S42), wherein estimating the level of synchronizations includesdetermining a (type of) synchronization source to which the firstwireless device 12 a is synchronized. A selection of the transmissionparameters is made based on the level of synchronization of the firstwireless device 12 a (block S44), which includes selecting thetransmission parameter based on the (type of) synchronization source.The data packet is then transmitted to a second wireless device 12 b,(block S46). The data packet may include control data or communicationsinformation.

FIG. 6 depicts an illustration of a computer readable storage medium 50according to the invention, able to store thereon a computer program 52for executing the method of selecting at least one transmissionparameter.

Estimation of the Level of Synchronization

In one embodiment, wireless device 12 may use its level of connectivityto the sources of synchronization as an indicator of the level ofsynchronization. For example, if synchronization is derived from GNSS,wireless device 12 may use the number of tracked satellites or theirreceived power or a successful detection indicator (e.g. a checksum) asan indicator of connectivity. If synchronization is derived from thenetwork, wireless device 12 may estimate the level of time/frequencysynchronization by tracking the variations in the time/frequencyreference (e.g., repeated large-magnitude variations may indicate a lowlevel of synchronization). In another embodiment, if synchronization isderived from the network, wireless device 12 may declare that the levelof synchronization is low when changing serving network entities 20.

A wireless device 12 may combine several sources of synchronizationand/or several such mechanisms for each source of synchronization. Inanother embodiment, if wireless device 12 has a list of priorities forthe different sources of synchronization, it may use some transmissionparameters with the preferred source of synchronization, switch toanother set of parameters with the second source of synchronization inthe list of preference, and so on. In another embodiment, wirelessdevice 12 may use knowledge of the communication scenario to estimatethe level of synchronization. For example, a wireless device 12 equippedwith road maps may assume that network entity/GNSS coverage is alwayslost in tunnels, or underground garages.

Selection of Transmission Parameters

In some embodiments, the selection of the transmissions parameters mayinclude choosing an appropriate transmission format for the data packet.For example, a wireless device may adapt modulation and coding scheme,such as for example use a lower coding rate (i.e., provide moreredundancy); or may choose a lower-order modulation which is lesssensitive to channel-estimation errors; or the wireless device maychoose a larger number of retransmissions. Thus, selecting atransmission parameters may be choosing a transmission format, such as amodulation and coding scheme or a number of retransmissions. In someother embodiments, the selection of the transmission parameters mayconsist of selecting a reference signal format that is more suitable forlarge synchronization errors, or it may select a longer cyclic prefix.Thus, selecting a transmission parameter includes choosing atransmission format, selecting a reference signal format and selecting acyclic prefix. These are examples of applications at OSI Layers 1 and/or2. In some embodiments, selecting a transmission parameter may includemodifying a number of resource blocks associated with the transmission.In some embodiments, selecting a transmission parameter includesselecting a coding rate. Also, in some embodiments, he chosentransmission format may be a number of resource blocks, a number oftransmission subframes or an amount of physical resources. A number oftransmission subframes could be a number of transmissions of a packet,i.e., the transmission and retransmissions of the packet.

In other embodiments, wireless device 12 may modify the data packet. Forexample, wireless device 12 may discard some of the fields while keepingonly the fields that are desired or needed. This is an example of use ofthe methods and arrangements of the present disclosure at theapplication layer.

Signaling the Transmission Parameters to the Receiver

In the Rel-12/13 D2D communication standards, the transmitter of thewireless device, such as a transmitter in the communication interface 32uses a scheduling assignment (SA) to notify the potential receiversabout at least some of the transmission parameters (e.g., Modulation andCoding Scheme (MCS), bandwidth, etc.). This mechanism may be used forV2V communications, possibly with some variations (e.g., the SA may betransmitted simultaneously with the data packet, possibly in the sameradio resources, i.e., in-band). In some embodiments, the transmittingwireless device 12 uses SAs to include the selected transmissionparameters. In some other embodiments (e.g. cellular), the transmittermay use specific L1/L2 signaling to notify the receiver about the newtransmission format.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a wireless device 12 configured toadaptively select a transmission format for the wireless device 12 in aD2D communication network according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Wireless device 12 includes processing circuitry 22, whichincludes memory 24 and processor 26, the memory 24 in communication withprocessor 26. Processing circuitry 22 may comprise and/or be connectedto and/or be configured for accessing (e.g., writing to and/or readingfrom) memory 24, which may comprise any kind of volatile and/ornon-volatile memory, e.g., cache and/or buffer memory and/or RAM (RandomAccess Memory) and/or ROM (Read-Only Memory) and/or optical memoryand/or EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). Such memory 24may be configured to store code executable by control circuitry and/orother data, e.g., data pertaining to communication, e.g., configurationand/or address data of nodes, etc. Processing circuitry 22 may beconfigured to control any of the methods described herein and/or tocause such methods to be performed, e.g., by processor 26. Correspondinginstructions may be stored in the memory 24, which may be readableand/or readably connected to the processing circuitry 22. In otherwords, processing circuitry 22 may include a controller, which maycomprise a microprocessor and/or microcontroller and/or FPGA(Field-Programmable Gate Array) device and/or ASIC (Application SpecificIntegrated Circuit) device. It may be considered that processingcircuitry 22 includes or may be connected or connectable to memory,which may be configured to be accessible for reading and/or writing bythe controller and/or processing circuitry 22.

Memory 24 includes instructions that, when executed by processor 26,configure processor 26 to estimate a level of synchronization for thefirst wireless device, which can be performed by synchronizationestimator 28, and to select at least one transmission parameter based atleast upon the estimated level of synchronization, which can beperformed by transmission parameter selector 30. Wireless device 12 alsoincludes a communication interface 32 configured to transmit a datapacket to a second wireless device using the selected at least onetransmission parameter.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a wireless device 12 configured toadaptively select a transmission format for the wireless device 12 in aD2D communication network according to an alternate embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In FIG. 4, wireless device 12 includes asynchronization establishing module 40 configured to establish asynchronization for the first wireless device to a synchronizationsource, a synchronization estimating module 42 configured to estimate alevel of synchronization for the first wireless device, a transmissionparameter selection module 44 configured to select at least onetransmission parameter based at least upon the estimated level ofsynchronization, and a communication module 46 configured to transmit adata packet to a second wireless device using the selected at least onetransmission parameter. The modules of FIG. 4 may contain software that,when executed by a processor, cause the processor to execute thefunctions of synchronization estimation, transmission parameterselection, and communication.

Thus, in some embodiments, a method for adaptively selecting atransmission format of a first wireless device in a device-to-device(D2D) communication network is provided. The method includes estimatinga level of synchronization for the first wireless device, selecting atleast one transmission parameter based at least upon the estimated levelof synchronization, transmitting a data packet to a second wirelessdevice using the selected at least one transmission parameter.

In some embodiments, the at least one transmission parameter is based oncharacteristics of the transmitted data packet. In some embodiments,selecting the at least one transmission parameter is based on trafficrequirements of the D2D communication network. In some embodiments, themethod further includes transmitting, to the second wireless device,information about the at least one transmission parameter. In someembodiments, the information about the at least one transmissionparameter is transmitted to the second wireless device with the datapacket. In some embodiments, the method further includes establishing aconnection to a synchronization source, and wherein estimating the levelof synchronization for the wireless device is based at least upon adegree of synchronization accuracy that can be obtained when thesynchronization source connection is established. In some embodiments,the synchronization source is a Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS) and the degree of synchronization accuracy is based on a numberof tracked satellites in the GNSS. In some embodiments, thesynchronization source is a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)and the degree of synchronization accuracy is based on an amount ofpower received from at least one satellite in the GNSS. In someembodiments, the synchronization source is a Global Navigation SatelliteSystem (GNSS) and the degree of synchronization accuracy is based on astatus of a detection indicator. In some embodiments, thesynchronization source is a network entity and the degree ofsynchronization accuracy is based on variations in at least one of atime and a frequency reference. In some embodiments, the method furtherincludes establishing a connection to more than one synchronizationsource, wherein each of the more than one synchronization source isassigned a priority level. In some embodiments, the at least onetransmission parameter is selected according to the assigned prioritylevel. In some embodiments, estimating the level of synchronization forthe wireless device is based at least upon a characteristic of thesynchronization source. A characteristic of the synchronization sourcemay be for example the type of synchronization source. In someembodiments, selecting the at least one transmission parameter based atleast upon the estimated level of synchronization includes modifying aformat of the data packet. In some embodiments, selecting the at leastone transmission parameter based at least upon the estimated level ofsynchronization includes selecting a coding rate. In some embodiments,selecting the at least one transmission parameter based at least uponthe estimated level of synchronization includes selecting a modulationfor transmission of the data packet.

In some embodiments, a first wireless device configured to adaptivelyselect a transmission format in a device-to-device (D2D) communicationnetwork is provided. The first wireless device includes processingcircuitry including a memory and a processor, the memory incommunication with the processor. The memory has instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, configure the processor to estimate a levelof synchronization for the first wireless device, select at least onetransmission parameter based at least upon the estimated level ofsynchronization, and a communication interface configured to transmit adata packet to a second wireless device using the selected at least onetransmission parameter. In some embodiments, selecting the at least onetransmission parameter is based on characteristics of the transmitteddata packet. In some embodiments, selecting the at least onetransmission parameter is based on traffic requirements of the D2Dcommunication network. In some embodiments, the processor is furtherconfigured to transmit, to the second wireless device, information aboutthe at least one transmission parameter. In some embodiments, theinformation about the at least one transmission parameter is transmittedto the second wireless device with the data packet. In some embodiments,the processor is further configured to establish a connection to asynchronization source, and wherein estimating the level ofsynchronization for the first wireless device is based at least upon adegree of synchronization accuracy that can be obtained when thesynchronization source connection is established. In some embodiments,the synchronization source is a Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS) and the degree of synchronization accuracy is based on a numberof tracked satellites in the GNSS. In some embodiments, thesynchronization source is a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)and the degree of synchronization accuracy is based on an amount ofpower received from at least one satellite in the GNSS. In someembodiments, the synchronization source is a Global Navigation SatelliteSystem (GNSS) and the degree of synchronization accuracy is based on astatus of a detection indicator. In some embodiments, thesynchronization source is a network entity and the degree ofsynchronization accuracy is based on variations in at least one of atime and a frequency reference.

Some other embodiments are as follows:

Embodiment 1: A method for adaptively selecting a transmission format ofa first wireless device in a device-to-device (D2D) communicationnetwork, the method comprising:

estimating a level of synchronization for the first wireless device;

-   -   selecting at least one transmission parameter based at least        upon the estimated level of synchronization; and    -   transmitting a data packet to a second wireless device using the        selected at least one transmission parameter.

Embodiment 2: The method of Embodiment 1, wherein selecting the at leastone transmission parameter is based on characteristics of thetransmitted data packet.

Embodiment 3: The method of Embodiment 1, wherein selecting the at leastone transmission parameter is based on traffic requirements of the D2Dcommunication network.

Embodiment 4: The method of Embodiment 1, further comprisingtransmitting, to the second wireless device, information about the atleast one transmission parameter.

Embodiment 5: The method of Embodiment 4, wherein the information aboutthe at least one transmission parameter is transmitted to the secondwireless device with the data packet.

Embodiment 6: The method of Embodiment 1, further comprisingestablishing a connection to a synchronization source, and whereinestimating the level of synchronization for the wireless device is basedat least upon a degree of synchronization accuracy that can be obtainedwhen the synchronization source connection is established.

Embodiment 7: The method of Embodiment 6, wherein the synchronizationsource is a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the degree ofsynchronization accuracy is based on a number of tracked satellites inthe GNSS.

Embodiment 8: The method of Embodiment 6, wherein the synchronizationsource is a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the degree ofsynchronization accuracy is based on an amount of power received from atleast one satellite in the GNSS.

Embodiment 9: The method of Embodiment 6, wherein the synchronizationsource is a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the degree ofsynchronization accuracy is based on a status of a detection indicator.

Embodiment 10: The method of Embodiment 6, wherein the synchronizationsource is a network entity and the degree of synchronization accuracy isbased on variations in at least one of a time and a frequency reference.

Embodiment 11: The method of Embodiment 1, further comprisingestablishing a connection to more than one synchronization source,wherein each of the more than one synchronization source is assigned apriority level.

Embodiment 12: The method of Embodiment 11, wherein the at least onetransmission parameter is selected according to the assigned prioritylevel.

Embodiment 13: The method of Embodiment 6, wherein estimating the levelof synchronization for the wireless device is based at least upon acharacteristic of the synchronization source.

Embodiment 14: The method of Embodiment 1, wherein selecting the atleast one transmission parameter based at least upon the estimated levelof synchronization includes modifying a format of the data packet.

Embodiment 15: The method of Embodiment 1, wherein selecting the atleast one transmission parameter based at least upon the estimated levelof synchronization includes selecting a coding rate.

Embodiment 16: The method of Embodiment 1, wherein selecting the atleast one transmission parameter based at least upon the estimated levelof synchronization includes selecting a modulation for transmission ofthe data packet.

Embodiment 17: A first wireless device configured to adaptively select atransmission format in a device-to-device (D2D) communication network,the first wireless device comprising:

-   -   processing circuitry including a memory and a processor, the        memory in communication with the processor, the memory having        instructions that, when executed by the processor, configure the        processor to:        -   estimate a level of synchronization for the first wireless            device; and    -   select at least one transmission parameter based at least upon        the estimated level of synchronization; and

a communication interface configured to transmit a data packet to asecond wireless device using the selected at least one transmissionparameter.

Embodiment 18: The first wireless device of Embodiment 17, whereinselecting the at least one transmission parameter is based oncharacteristics of the transmitted data packet.

Embodiment 19: The first wireless device of Embodiment 17, whereinselecting the at least one transmission parameter is based on trafficrequirements of the D2D communication network.

Embodiment 20: The first wireless device of Embodiment 17, wherein theprocessor is further configured to transmit, to the second wirelessdevice, information about the at least one transmission parameter.

Embodiment 21: The first wireless device of Embodiment 20, wherein theinformation about the at least one transmission parameter is transmittedto the second wireless device with the data packet.

Embodiment 22: The first wireless device of Embodiment 17, wherein theprocessor is further configured to establish a connection to asynchronization source, and wherein estimating the level ofsynchronization for the first wireless device is based at least upon adegree of synchronization accuracy that can be obtained when thesynchronization source connection is established.

Embodiment 23: The first wireless device of Embodiment 22, wherein thesynchronization source is a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)and the degree of synchronization accuracy is based on a number oftracked satellites in the GNSS.

Embodiment 24: The first wireless device of Embodiment 22, wherein thesynchronization source is a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)and the degree of synchronization accuracy is based on an amount ofpower received from at least one satellite in the GNSS.

Embodiment 25: The first wireless device of Embodiment 22, wherein thesynchronization source is a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)and the degree of synchronization accuracy is based on a status of adetection indicator.

Embodiment 26: The first wireless device of Embodiment 22, wherein thesynchronization source is a network entity and the degree ofsynchronization accuracy is based on variations in at least one of atime and a frequency reference.

Embodiment 27: The first wireless device of Embodiment 17, wherein theprocessor is further configured to establish a connection to more thanone synchronization source, wherein each of the more than onesynchronization source is assigned a priority level.

Embodiment 28: The first wireless device of Embodiment 27, wherein theat least one transmission parameter is selected according to theassigned priority level.

Embodiment 29: The first wireless device of Embodiment 22, whereinestimating the level of synchronization for the wireless device is basedat least upon a characteristic of the synchronization source.

Embodiment 30: The first wireless device of Embodiment 22, whereinselecting the at least one transmission parameter based at least uponthe estimated level of synchronization includes modifying a format ofthe data packet.

Embodiment 31: The first wireless device of Embodiment 17, whereinselecting the at least one transmission parameter based at least uponthe estimated level of synchronization includes selecting a coding rate.

Embodiment 32: The first wireless device of Embodiment 17, whereinselecting the at least one transmission parameter based at least uponthe estimated level of synchronization includes selecting a modulationfor transmission of the data packet.

Embodiment 33: A first wireless device configured to adaptively select atransmission format in a device-to-device (D2D) communication network,the first wireless device comprising:

-   -   a synchronization estimating module configured to estimate a        level of synchronization for the first wireless device;    -   a transmission parameter selection module configured to select        at least one transmission parameter based at least upon the        estimated level of synchronization; and    -   a communication module configured to transmit a data packet to a        second wireless device using the selected at least one        transmission parameter.

Embodiment 34: The method of Embodiment 11, wherein the at least onetransmission parameter is selected based upon a number ofsynchronization sources.

Embodiment 35: The first wireless device of Embodiment 27, wherein theat least one transmission parameter is selected based upon a number ofsynchronization sources.

Embodiment 36: The method of Embodiment 1, wherein selecting the atleast one transmission parameter based at least upon the estimated levelof synchronization includes selecting a bandwidth.

Embodiment 37: The first wireless device of Embodiment 17, whereinselecting the at least one transmission parameter based at least uponthe estimated level of synchronization includes selecting a bandwidth.

Embodiment 38: The method of Embodiment 1, wherein selecting the atleast one transmission parameter based at least upon the estimated levelof synchronization includes selecting a number of retransmissions.

Embodiment 39: The first wireless device of Embodiment 7, whereinselecting the at least one transmission parameter based at least uponthe estimated level of synchronization includes selecting a number ofretransmissions.

Embodiment 40: The method of Embodiment 14, wherein modifying the formatof the data packet includes discarding at least one field of the datapacket.

Embodiment 41: The first wireless device of Embodiment 30, whereinmodifying the format of the data packet includes discarding at least onefield of the data packet.

Some embodiments advantageously provide a method for use in a firstwireless device, and a first wireless device, for selecting atransmission parameter of a first wireless device (12) in a wirelesscommunication network (10). According to this aspect, the methodincludes selecting at least one transmission parameter based at leastupon an estimated level of synchronization for the first wireless device12 (block S36), wherein the synchronization of the first wireless deviceis in relation to at least one synchronization source (13). The methodmay provide for adaptively selecting a transmission parameter, whereinthe method can be adapted to the current situation regarding the levelof synchronization.

According to this aspect, in some embodiments the method furtherincludes transmitting a packet, such as a data packet or controlinformation, to at least a second wireless device (12 b) using theselected at least one transmission parameter (block S38). In someembodiments, the wireless communication network (10) is a device todevice, D2D, communication network. In some embodiments, the methodfurther includes estimating a level of synchronization for the firstwireless device (12 a) (block S34), wherein the estimating may beobtaining, determining, or calculating the level of synchronization,such as determining the type of synchronization source used.

In some embodiments, the method further includes establishing aconnection to at least one synchronization source (13) (block S32). Insome embodiments, the method further includes establishing a connectionto a synchronization source (13), and wherein estimating the level ofsynchronization for the wireless device is based at least upon a degreeof synchronization accuracy that can be obtained when thesynchronization source connection is established. Thus, the level ofsynchronization in view of the degree of accuracy for the communication,such as transmitted and received packets, depends on the synchronizationsource. In some embodiments, estimating the level of synchronization forthe wireless device (12 a) is based at least upon a characteristic ofthe synchronization source (13). A characteristic of the synchronizationsource may be for example the type of synchronization source or aproperty of the synchronization source. In some embodiments, estimatingthe level of synchronization for the wireless device (12 a) is based atleast upon a type of synchronization source (13), or types ofsynchronization sources (13) if several sources are used, and theestimating of the level of synchronization may thus be the wirelessdevice determining, checking, reading, or receiving informationregarding what synchronization source(s) it uses.

In some embodiments, selecting the at least one transmission parameterbased on the estimated level of synchronization comprises selecting theat least one transmission parameter based upon the type(s) ofsynchronization source(s) 13. In some embodiments, the synchronizationsource (13) is one or more of a Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS) or a network entity, such as a base station 20 which may be, forexample, an evolved NodeB (eNB). In some embodiments, the at least onetransmission parameter is selected based upon a number ofsynchronization sources 13. In some embodiments, the synchronizationsource 13 is a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the degreeof synchronization accuracy is based on a number of tracked satellitesin the GNSS. In some embodiments, the synchronization source 13 is aGlobal Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the degree ofsynchronization accuracy is based on an amount of power received from atleast one satellite in the GNSS. In some embodiments, thesynchronization source 13 is a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)and the degree of synchronization accuracy is based on a status of adetection indicator. In some embodiments, the synchronization source 13is a network entity and the degree of synchronization accuracy is basedon variations in at least one of a time and a frequency reference.

In some embodiments, the method further includes establishing aconnection to at least one synchronization source 13. In someembodiments, the method includes establishing a wireless connection tomore than one synchronization source 13, wherein each of the more thanone synchronization source 13 is assigned a priority level. In someembodiments, the selection of the at least one transmission parameterincludes at least one of choosing a transmission format, selecting areference signal format and selecting a cyclic prefix. In someembodiments, the selected transmission format is one of a transportblock size, a size of packets to be transmitted, a modulation and codingscheme, an amount of physical resources, a number of resource blocks, anumber of transmission subframes, a number of retransmissions and anantenna mapping. In some embodiments, selecting the at least onetransmission parameter based at least upon the estimated level ofsynchronization (block S36) includes selecting a bandwidth. In someembodiments, selecting the at least one transmission parameter based atleast upon the estimated level of synchronization (block S36) includesselecting a number of retransmissions.

In some embodiments, selecting the at least one transmission parameterbased at least upon the estimated level of synchronization (block S36)includes selecting a number of resource blocks associated with thetransmission of a packet to at least a second wireless device using theselected at least one parameter. In some embodiments, selecting the atleast one transmission parameter based at least upon the estimated levelof synchronization (block S36) includes selecting a modulation andcoding scheme (MCS). In some embodiments, selecting the at least onetransmission parameter based at least upon the estimated level ofsynchronization (block S36) includes selecting a format of the packet.

In a further aspect is provided a computer program comprising computerprogram code which, when executed in a wireless device, causes thewireless device to execute the methods described above. In yet a furtheraspect is provided a carrier, wherein the carrier is one of anelectronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readablestorage medium, such as a storage disk, storage device, CD-ROM or USBmemory stick, containing or having stored thereon, the computer programdescribed above.

According to yet another aspect, a first wireless device is configuredto select a transmission parameter in a wireless communication network.The first wireless device 12 includes processing circuitry 22 configuredto select at least one transmission parameter based at least upon anestimated level of synchronization for the first wireless device 12(block S36). The processing circuitry 22 may include a memory 24 andprocessor 26, wherein the memory 24 is in communication with theprocessor 26, the memory 24 having instructions that, when executed bythe processor 26, configure the processor 26 to select at least onetransmission parameter.

According to this aspect, the first wireless device 12 further includesa communication interface configured to transmit a packet to at least asecond wireless device using the selected at least one transmissionparameter. In some embodiments, the wireless communication network is adevice-to-device (D2D) communication network. In some embodiments, theprocessor is further configured to estimate a level of synchronization28 for the first wireless device (block S34).

In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to establish aconnection to a synchronization source 13, and wherein estimating thelevel of synchronization for the first wireless 12 device is based atleast upon a degree of synchronization accuracy that can be obtainedwhen the synchronization source 13 connection is established. In someembodiments, selecting the at least one transmission parameter based atleast upon the estimated level of synchronization (block S36) includesselecting a number of retransmissions. In some embodiments, selectingthe at least one transmission parameter based at least upon theestimated level of synchronization (block S36) includes selecting abandwidth.

In some embodiments, estimating the level of synchronization for thewireless device 12 is based at least upon a characteristic of thesynchronization source 13. In some embodiments, estimating the level ofsynchronization for the wireless device 12 is based at least upon a typethe synchronization source 13. In some embodiments, selecting the atleast one transmission parameter based on the estimated level ofsynchronization comprises selecting the at least one transmissionparameter based upon the type of the synchronization source 13.

In some embodiments, the synchronization source 13 is one or more of aGlobal Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a network entity such as abase station, and/or one or more wireless devices simultaneouslytransmitting synchronization signals (such as sidelink synchronizationsignals (SLSS). In some embodiments, the at least one transmissionparameter is selected based upon a number of synchronization sources. Insome embodiments, the synchronization source 13 is a Global NavigationSatellite System (GNSS) and the degree of synchronization accuracy isbased on a number of tracked satellites in the GNSS. In someembodiments, the synchronization source 13 is a Global NavigationSatellite System (GNSS) and the degree of synchronization accuracy isbased on an amount of power received from at least one satellite in theGNSS. In some embodiments, the synchronization source 13 is a GlobalNavigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the degree of synchronizationaccuracy is based on a status of a detection indicator. In someembodiments, the synchronization source 13 is a network entity and thedegree of synchronization accuracy is based on variations in at leastone of a time and a frequency reference.

In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 22 is further configuredto establish a connection to at least one synchronization source. Insome embodiments, the processing circuitry 22 is further configured toestablish a wireless connection to more than one synchronization source,wherein each of the more than one synchronization source is assigned apriority level. In some embodiments, the selection of the at least onetransmission parameter includes choosing a transmission format. In someembodiments, the selected transmission format is one of a transportblock size, a size of packets to be transmitted, a modulation and codingscheme, an amount of physical resources, a number of resource blocks, anumber of transmission subframes and an antenna mapping.

In some embodiments, selecting the at least one transmission parameterbased at least upon the estimated level of synchronization includesselecting a bandwidth. In some embodiments, selecting the at least onetransmission parameter based at least upon the estimated level ofsynchronization includes selecting a number of retransmissions. In someembodiments, selecting the at least one transmission parameter based atleast upon the estimated level of synchronization includes selecting anumber of resource blocks associated with the transmission of a packetto at least a second wireless device using the selected at least oneparameter. In some embodiments, selecting the at least one transmissionparameter based at least upon the estimated level of synchronizationincludes selecting a modulation and coding scheme (MCS). In someembodiments, selecting the at least one transmission parameter based atleast upon the estimated level of synchronization includes selecting aformat of the packet.

According to another aspect, a first wireless device 12 is configured toadaptively select a transmission parameter in a device-to-device (D2D)communication network. The first wireless device 12 includes asynchronization estimating module 40 configured to estimate a level ofsynchronization for the first wireless device. In some embodiments, thefirst wireless device 12 includes a transmission parameter selectionmodule 42 configured to select at least one transmission parameter basedat least upon the estimated level of synchronization. In someembodiments, the first wireless device includes a communication module44 configured to transmit a data packet to a second wireless deviceusing the selected at least one transmission parameter.

In some embodiments, a method for use in a wireless device for selectinga transmission parameter of a first wireless device in adevice-to-device (D2D) communication network is provided. The methodincludes estimating a synchronization source for the first wirelessdevice. The method also includes selecting at least one transmissionparameter based at least upon the synchronization source. The methodfurther includes transmitting a packet to a second wireless device usingthe selected at least one transmission parameter, wherein the at leastone transmission parameter is one or more out of a modulation and codingscheme, a number of resource blocks, a number of transmission subframes,and a number of retransmissions.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the conceptsdescribed herein may be embodied as a method, data processing system,and/or computer program product. Accordingly, the concepts describedherein may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirelysoftware embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardwareaspects all generally referred to herein as a “circuit” or “module.”Furthermore, the disclosure may take the form of a computer programproduct on a tangible computer usable storage medium having computerprogram code embodied in the medium that can be executed by a computer.Any suitable tangible computer readable medium may be utilized includinghard disks, CD-ROMs, electronic storage devices, optical storagedevices, or magnetic storage devices.

Some embodiments are described herein with reference to flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, systems and computerprogram products. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer program instructions. These computer program instructions maybe provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus toproduce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via theprocessor of the computer or other programmable data processingapparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable memory or storage medium that can direct a computer or otherprogrammable data processing apparatus to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablememory produce an article of manufacture including instruction meanswhich implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer orother programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series ofoperational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmableapparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that theinstructions which execute on the computer or other programmableapparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified inthe flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

It is to be understood that the functions/acts noted in the blocks mayoccur out of the order noted in the operational illustrations. Forexample, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executedsubstantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed inthe reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.Although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths toshow a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood thatcommunication may occur in the opposite direction to the depictedarrows.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the conceptsdescribed herein may be written in an object oriented programminglanguage such as Java® or C++. However, the computer program code forcarrying out operations of the disclosure may also be written inconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming language. The program code may execute entirely on theuser's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer or entirely on the remote computer. In the latter scenario, theremote computer may be connected to the user's computer through a localarea network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection maybe made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet usingan Internet Service Provider).

Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connectionwith the above description and the drawings. It will be understood thatit would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe andillustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments.Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/orcombination, and the present specification, including the drawings,shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of allcombinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein,and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shallsupport claims to any such combination or subcombination.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that theembodiments described herein are not limited to what has beenparticularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unlessmention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all ofthe accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modificationsand variations are possible in light of the above teachings withoutdeparting from the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A first wireless device configured to communicatewith at least one synchronization source, the first wireless devicecomprising processing circuitry configured to: select at least onetransmission parameter based at least in part on a characteristic of asynchronization source for the first wireless device; and causetransmission of a packet to at least a second wireless device using theselected at least one transmission parameter.
 2. The first wirelessdevice of claim 1, wherein the selecting of the at least onetransmission parameter is based at least in part on a level ofconnectivity to the at least one synchronization source.
 3. The firstwireless device of claim 2, wherein the level of connectivity isindicated by at least one of: a number of tracked at least onesynchronization source; a power received from the at least onesynchronization source; and a changing of serving base stations by thefirst wireless device.
 4. The first wireless device of claim 3, whereinthe characteristic of the at least one synchronization source includes atype of synchronization source.
 5. The first wireless device of claim 4,wherein the type of synchronization source includes at least one of aGlobal Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a base station and a secondwireless device configured to transmit synchronization signals.
 6. Thefirst wireless device of claim 1, wherein the at least one transmissionparameter includes a transmission format.
 7. The first wireless deviceof claim 6, wherein the transmission format is one of a transport blocksize, a size of packets to be transmitted, a modulation and codingscheme, an amount of physical resources, a number of resource blocks, anumber of transmission subframes, a number of retransmissions and anantenna mapping.
 8. The first wireless device of claim 1, wherein theselecting of at least one transmission parameter is based at least inpart on a level of synchronization with the at least one synchronizationsource.
 9. The first wireless device of claim 8, wherein the at leastone synchronization source is a base station and the level ofsynchronization is based on variations in at least one of a time and afrequency reference.
 10. The first wireless device of claim 1, whereinthe at least one synchronization source is a plurality ofsynchronization sources, each synchronization source having a respectivepriority level associated with applying the transmitter parameter.
 11. Amethod for use in a first wireless device configured to communicate withat least one synchronization source, the method comprising: selecting atleast one transmission parameter based at least in part on acharacteristic of a synchronization source for the first wirelessdevice; and transmitting a packet to at least a second wireless deviceusing the selected at least one transmission parameter.
 12. The methodof claim 11, wherein the selecting of the at least one transmissionparameter is based at least in part on a level of connectivity to the atleast one synchronization source.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereinthe level of connectivity is indicated by at least one of: a number oftracked at least one synchronization source; a power received from theat least one synchronization source; and a changing of serving basestations by the first wireless device.
 14. The method of claim 13,wherein the characteristic of the at least one synchronization sourceincludes a type of synchronization source.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein the type of synchronization source includes at least one of aGlobal Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), a base station and a secondwireless device configured to transmit synchronization signals.
 16. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the at least one transmission parameterincludes a transmission format.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein thetransmission format is one of a transport block size, a size of packetsto be transmitted, a modulation and coding scheme, an amount of physicalresources, a number of resource blocks, a number of transmissionsubframes, a number of retransmissions and an antenna mapping.
 18. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the selecting of at least one transmissionparameter is based at least in part on a level of synchronization withthe at least one synchronization source.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein the at least one synchronization source is a base station andthe level of synchronization is based on variations in at least one of atime and a frequency reference.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein theat least one synchronization source is a plurality of synchronizationsources, each synchronization source having a respective priority levelassociated with applying the transmitter parameter.